North American-Style Gas Storage Tank
Looks Great in Pre-70s Scenes
* Great for City Scenes
* Classic North American Design
* Fits Steam & Diesel Era
* Build Full or Empty
* Detailed Trusses & Steelwork
For over a century, the gas works was a fixture of American cities and towns. Long before natural gas and electricity were common, these facilities generated "coal gas" (a byproduct of coke ovens) to power street lamps, home appliances and industrial machinery. The signature structure of any gas works, these massive storage tanks dominated the city skyline. These black giants were actually the last stop at the plant, used to store and pressurize the gas before it was fed into underground pipelines to supply customers.
Gas was produced at a constant rate, so during the hours when demand was lower and more storage capacity was needed, the tank expanded using telescoping sections called "lifts." To keep these aligned as they rose and fell, they rode on a series of guide rails supported by a spider web of steel trusses on the outside of the tank. With its intricate detail and easy construction, this model marks the first time an American-prototype gas storage tank is available. A must-have for period city scenes, one or two tanks can be used where space is limited to suggest a larger plant nearby.